The Reasons Prince Andrew is Giving Up His Royal Honors – and What It Means for the Royal Family

Through a announcement issued by Buckingham Palace, the king's brother has declared he is giving up his official honors, such as his dukedom. Here are the details of what has been announced – and what wasn't.

What Has the Prince Said?

Having already stepped down as a working royal in 2019, the prince has now decided to “take additional measures” and agree to refrain from using the “title or the honours which have been granted to” him.

But he also employed the announcement to make a point of denying – consistent with his past statements – the accusations of misconduct leveled at him; albeit after settling millions to resolve the civil sexual assault case brought by Virginia Giuffre – an agreement in which he accepted no fault and strongly rejected any claims of improper conduct.

There has been ongoing scrutiny toward the royal institution over the allegations against Andrew – particularly after his ill-fated television appearance with Emily Maitlis in 2019. He presently states that his actions are to protect the royal family from further damage resulting from media scrutiny.

Has the King Stripped Him of His Titles?

Not at all. And although this could be dismissed as a mere formality, it is significant in multiple ways: initially, it enables the prince to publicly claim to have behaved with integrity in defence of the monarchy. As he said in his announcement: “I have decided, as I always have, to prioritize my obligations to my relatives and country first.”

Additionally, while he has agreed to abstain from using it, the prince keeps his ducal title, along with the honors the Earl of Inverness and his barony and the esteemed Garter role as Royal Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter. Like the HRH royal style title, they are effectively inactive.

He continues to be royalty and eighth in the line of succession. Theoretically, he is also still a counsellor of state – and may deputize for the sovereign if he is abroad or unwell. However the palace has made clear that, realistically, he will not be called upon to perform these duties.

Nevertheless, it is significant that the prince's announcement indicated this choice was made “following talks with the monarch”. It appears highly likely that, privately, the palace pushed for the move in the hope of cutting Andrew loose.

Why Was He Not Formally Stripped of All of His Titles?

To revoke a dukedom would take an act of parliament, and would constitute such a historic move publicly before the public – it has not happened to a senior royal in more than 100 years – that it could cause more harm to the image for the royals.

Andrew is also a royal by birth. At his birth in 1960, he was automatically such as the child of the sovereign. This would only be changed if a letters patent was issued by the king.

The entire procedure could end up being drawn-out, meaning the goal of quickly addressing the matter – at least for the royal family’s purposes – would not necessarily be met.

What Does It Mean for the Prince?

Embarrassment, probably more than anything else. The statement signifies an effective loss of status he has resisted for years.

He and his ex-wife, Sarah, still live in their Windsor residence, notwithstanding reported efforts by the king to encourage Andrew to move out of the thirty-room royal residence in Windsor Great Park.

While little light has been revealed about the precise amount of funds the prince has obtained as a result of his status, he continues to be a wealthy individual. Back in 2007, he was able to secure £15m by selling a property that had been a gift from his mother, as an instance.

Why Now?

The continual list of scandals related to the prince has proved unacceptable for the monarch and other high-ranking family members.

His association with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein is once again under scrutiny after it emerged Andrew had told him “we are in this together” in an email sent three months subsequent to his assertion to have ceased contact.

Additionally, there were stories about his connections with a suspected intelligence operative and, this week, excerpts were published from the book released after death of Giuffre, who took her own life in April. She claimed Andrew “thought that having sex with me was his entitlement”.

Moreover, the sovereign is due to undertake a significant trip to see the pontiff next week, when he will become the first English monarch after Henry the Eighth split with Rome in 1534 to worship openly with the pope and leader of Catholicism. He will not have wanted that trip to be marred by more negative headlines about his brother.

What Has Been the Reaction?

Although he stated Giuffre had been “vindicated” by the move, her sibling Sky Roberts has told the Times that the prince's style should be revoked for “true justice” to be done.

The republican advocacy organization Republic has also said the action is “too little, too late”, adding: “The prince continues to be facing allegations of sexual misconduct and misuse of position. He ought to be divested of every honor and his military position and should undergo a legal probe. Refraining from using silly medieval titles is not a punishment that fits the offences.”